Auburn offensive coordinator Joel Gordon took full responsibility for the Tigers' lack of a feasible run game through two months of the 2026 season.
Gordon said it's "very irksome" that the run hasn't gotten going, and invited everyone to point the finger at him for the issues.
"We've had a hard time being consistent, whoever you want to point the finger at. You can point it at me," Gordon said on Monday, having clearly been on social media following two months of Auburn's No. 100-ranked running game nationally.
The former quarterback at Shepherd in the late 1990s and early aughts used the same line of assessment to discuss the offensive line, which has undergone another personnel shift among the starters.
"You got to take the good with the bad, and that's a tough spot to be in. But that's where we are. And there were things that we got to build on, things that we got to fix," Gordon said.
The most recent Auburn starting offensive line had Stanton Ramill on the blindside, Kenneth McManus IV sliding from right to left guard, Jacobe Ward getting the nod at right guard, and Wilson Zierer sliding from left guard to right tackle. Jacob Strand, Cole Skinner, and Jo Simmons have all been given starting looks this season as well. Cole Best has steadily been the starting center. No combination has worked for extended stretches, hence the constant changes.
The Tigers' offensive line is definitively the problem. Jeremiah Cobb's performance has slipped this season, while none of the transfer running backs are making much of an impact.
That Byrum Brown has a sizable team rushing lead means Auburn is doing most of its damage out of broken plays. They're broken because of the lack of protection.
The line is Gordon's responsibility, even if the talent is underwhelming. Gordon doesn't need to go all Hugh Freeze on his players, though, and toss the blame their way. Good on him for not doing that.
Auburn has chance to right wrongs in the running game vs. Arkansas
This Saturday, the Tigers take on the worst run defense in the SEC. Arkansas is a great chance to make things right. Even Razorbacks head coach Ryan Silverfield would acknowledge that fact, based on his worries about his Hogs.
If Auburn can't get the running game going this weekend, Alex Golesh will seriously have to consider taking the reins of the offense.
Still, the Tigers have a better chance of finally establishing the run. That could be carried into the Mississippi State game, where AU takes on another poor run game, and then the Samford game.
Perhaps by Week 13, the run will be ready to embarrass Alabama in the Iron Bowl. The Crimson Tide's defensive push has wilted this season on several occasions, including in losses to Tennessee and Georgia.
While things may seem bad for the run game now, we could be singing a much different tune in a few weeks. Gordon could well save his reputation with the fanbase by then.
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